Category: Graveyard of Empires: The Islands of Curabel: Session Summaries

SESSION 192 February 28, 2018

River of the Damned/Dammed

7:00 PM 21st Senrilden

Dwarven Apocalypse Clock: 000.00.01.24

(1 month and 24 days until the dwarven space armada arrives. That’s 7 weeks and 3 days. Remember to subtract 1 week for training, 1 week to get to Lonely Isle, and 2 weeks to modify the ship – AFTER we get control of it, leaving 3 weeks and 3 days of wiggle room….)

While still in the Council Chambers of Feldmark, we learn that the inquisitor who replaced Greta had no direct support from the Dragon Empire. The heavy hitting dervishes, we took out when we interrupted the assassination. All that are left are the low level operatives any decent sized polity would have.

WOW – The Dragon Emperor sent in a strike force of dervishes to get control of the orbital defences. They failed in that regard, but they brought back a piece of Prixithalma to the mainland, and since they have plenty of dragons to get dragon blood, they raised her. Serithaz doesn’t think that we can raise Prix if she is alive elsewhere. It would waste our supply (one shot) to try.

Upon learning this news, Nash was inspired, and asked Serithaz if we could sacrifice DVLs instead. Serithaz didn’t see a reason it wouldn’t work, as the ritual only specified dragon blood. Serithaz pointed out we know where a dragon is…. (Lonely Isle – Lysander).

Not having a dragon ally to raise, our plans changed.

The council likes out idea and have identified all the clerics and druids in the area that can cast cure disease. They will send a task force to kill any infected, and cover the mouths of the task force when they burn them. The job of the clerics and druids is to keep the task force healthy. (This means certain death to all the refugees.)

First we want to get to Greta’s house and find any goodies and communication devices/transportation devices (mirrors), other magic, and possible gold & gems. The council gives us permission and sends word.

We arrive and the city watch has just gotten there to surround the place.

We wait for them to do so, then Nash tries to kick in the front door and fails. Rallion easily kicks it open. We go upstairs first. We put the fear of traps and magical death into the guard officer, so they stay outside to maintain the perimeter.

We go upstairs and Nash “hears” someone (with his Psionic clairaudience ability) and we go towards that door. This time Rallion can’t force the door, but Nash runs into Rallion and gets it open.

Inside is an old man burning papers. He stops, not sure what to do. Nash commands him to stop. Rallion stepped forward and put his sword to his throat and told him to ‘Kneel’. The old man complied.

We learned he is the butler of Greta, and was totally fooled by the Inquisitor, and thinks we are agents of a coup by Cuddy.

Nash knocks out the old man. Serithaz confirmed that the old man worked for Greta and had no idea. The papers are all about the boring machinations (what Serithaz thought of them.) of the rope makers guild, in a city where the various guilds mostly got along.

There is a magical mirror that has what appear to be spider web like cracks. Nash puts his hand in and feels wet and resistance. Serithaz questions the copy of the inquisitor, and the other mirror was on the airship that is now at the bottom of the port at Midmark. We ask Kalgun and he thinks a mending might work to fix the other mirror if cast through this mirror. We eye that as a potential escape route. (If we can recover it without flooding someplace.

Nash is nearly petrified by a magical trap on the door to Greta’s private quarters, as he had taken off the skull cap and not asked Serithaz to question the copied inquisitor. Inside we find the chest with a false bottom, that we previously learned of via Serithaz. The false bottom has 500 gp in Midmark coin, and 15 standard 1,000 gp gems. We pocket that, and put everthing else back, even the gold necklace of office as guildmaster of the ropemaker’s guild.

We turn over the house to the guard, giving them the all clear.

We go to the Evenkeel temple and Lambertus, AKA ‘Sam’, the vault inspector, cons a young acolyte, in combination with a charm person spell from Laris, to show us the tombs and vaults.

After conning him out of the vault key, we learn that there are 10 scrolls with some cool spells, even resurrection! More importantly, there are three chests, each with a DVL/magical trap. Only the key of the Patriarch (who is actually the Matriarch) will open them safely. Laris and Bavmorda make an impression of the vault key.

We leave and Bavmorda’s new henchman puts a sleeper hold on the lad, and Nash has Serithaz erase our visit from his memory. Rallion grimly shakes his head….

The rest of us sneak out, those with elven or dark elven cloaks don them first, after Kauri casts invisibility on Nash, who sneaks in and uses Serithaz to zero in on the “Patriarch”. Scanning the mind of the Patriarch Nash learns what the key looks like so he can draw it out. The Patriarch is in a meeting with other clerics making plans to go with the city task force tomorrow at noon.

Rallion keeps pointing out that he thinks we should head down river and at least take care of the whale. He is willing to go forward with the shard to see if it works on the diseased undead. We know it will work on the whale, since we turned it. We can also see if cure disease works or not, but it should based on the experience of Thorfus and Axel after returning from the pathology lab under Xen Khel.

Our other option is to take the sub to where the Hull and Sheaf fleet is and commandeer one of them, if we can’t quickly save the city for Bavmorda and Laris to complete their training….

SESSION 190 – February 14, 2018

Prior to going to share our message with the council, we move to the square to have a noisy place to discuss our plan. In the square is the normal hustle and bustle of such large groupings of people. The Fishwicke people are there flagellating themselves.

Suddenly a pregnant woman does a waddling run into the middle of the square screaming about death, fishes, and other strangeness. This intrigues the Fishwicke people, while a group of assassins (Imperial Dervishes) shadow step to go after the people the woman was with. [We later learned the woman was Em, and the people were those who fled Midmark in Thorfu’s submarine.]

The assassin’s only hit one of their intended victims, the Matriarch of Merendur’s temple in Midmark, Alesta Dracul, and she only fell because of their poisoned blades. Strangely, the other’s missed.

Lambertus recognized these people, and Rallion had seen some of them before on his trips into Midmark before being sent on his mission. The party springs into action.

We shield Em from her attackers, as she was also on the assassin’s list. We quickly brought down the weaker killers. One managed to hit Laris, and he also fell due to the effects of poison.

Oskar rushed forward with the chest and opened it, removing the magic from all the assassins, as well as those we hoped to aid. Including removing the spells from the aged elf, Aldus Runnelbrook, who could only look at Oskar wondering what just happened.

The assassins were unable to hit any of their other targets. Their targets fought back, and with our aid we quickly subdued them. One exploded, but we got everyone clear before that happened. Two of the shadow steppers were left alive, which Rallion later regretted, as we had no opportunity to question them. Rallion later urged their eyes be put out to prevent their escape. Lambertus cast slow poison on Laris, and Nash cast it on Alesta to buy time to save their lives with remove poison.

Baswick the Midmark Harbormaster revealed as an agent of Feldmark, interceded when Nash didn’t want them touching Em. We ended up in the same room under guard with the party from Midmark and we revealed some of what we know.

While she was still unconsious, Nash had Serithaz insert into Alesta Dracul’s memory that he and Bavmorda were who she was to meet to deliver the sub. After she awoke, she was sticking to that story. Rallion continues to rub the bridge of his nose, at all this. During the fight, while Em was safe with Nash, Nash told Serithaz to fix Em. Em now is in her right mind, and understands where she is.

A priestess from the local temple of Baldrick Evenkeel cast slow poison.

We make a plan with the Midmark group and they make a poor argument that does nothing, and we deliver a message about not burning the disease victims to prevent spreading the contagion via the ash. We don’t trust councillor Grete Kygh of the Ropemaker’s Guild, who has had a sudden change of opinion about helping Midmark. We make a suggestion about helping through the temples, so it is not a political issue, which the Feldmark Council adopts, and the Hull & Sheaf ships are to be left out of it, to prevent further political entanglements.

We meet up with Baswick who delivers us to a safe house under control of the Feldmark secret police. We suggest to Baswick if they won’t put out the eyes of the shadow steppers, perhaps they could cast continual light in their eyes, so it isn’t permanent. We hole up for a week and train.

SESSION 189 – February 7, 2018

Night of 7th Senrilden one moon is half waxing and other half waning and we set sail to the south.

Captain Nigel estimates 5 days to reach Feldmark.

Khaleen, AKA Bavmorda, spends the journey getting to know the crew.

Nash preaches Lysander.

Rallion keeps watch at night and scans the horizon with the telescope and chats with the sailors on watch.

The Bronze Wizard had enough rations to make it on partial rations, and the party had some food, but needed enough food for 31 days. Lambertus created food & water to allow us to avoid a starvation ration.

One sailor, Asa, knows Laris. He hold a grudge against Laris for winning all his wealth on the eve of his wedding, forcing him to take to the life on the sea. Still owing Laris. Laris charms him and forgives the debt Asa owes him.

Nash offers the ESP helm to Laris, and Laris tries it on and learns many things from Serithaz. Rallion told him not to do it. Rallion checks him out when he finishes his chat with Serithaz. Rallion isn’t convinced Laris is OK.

A heavy downpour begins on the 9th, our second full day of travel, and lasts a few days. We easily top off our water barrels. About 2:00 PM, there is a shout, we go up to see what it is. There is a boat with two islanders rowing for all they’re worth tryhing to escape a ship with tattered sails and the anchor chains apparently pulling the ship. Suddenly a zombie whale surfaces and chomps down on the boat and chews up the men. The ship changes course and closes with us. We notice pox riddled undead aboard. Nash attempts to turn with no effect. Lambertus casts prayer. We fire arrows. Lambertus turns and the whale wheels about, with no apparent affect on the creatures on deck. Captain Nigel and his crew manage to pull ahead and away. This ship was flagged out of Vargen.

The next day the rain is merely heavy, instead of a constant downpour.

On the 10th, Laris pulls Rallion aside during Rallion’s watch. Laris asks about the degrees of evil of ancient dwarves and devil fish. Rallion explains that the devil fish are allies of convenience, the enemy of my enemy.

Rallion gives 30 GP to Captain Nigel to pay his crew, and promises to pay the berthing fees.

We round the bend into the mouth of the Feldrun River and are greeted with a sea of masts at Landing. Landing is the small town at the mouth of the river. There is a picket of a warship and two armed merchantment preventing travel upriver. Across the river from Landing is a camp of refugees.

We are approached by Captain Holger, who is a merchant captain impressed to naval service. He must view our crew to make sure none are sick and see the ship.

Rallion tries to avoid showing the Writ as Keepers of The Council. However, his story of pilgrimage to the Grove of the Verdant Fellowship is not good enough. He relents and shows the captain the Writ. We learn that there is a lot of mistrust of agents of Midmark and what goes on with the Empire there. The high priestess, Alesta Drucal, of the church of the sea god, M…. escaped with a motley crew in an underwater boat. One was Baswick the asistant, and then Harbormaster. He was revealed as an agent of Feldmark, one of their Shadow Guard, the equivalent of the Grey Cloaks of Midmark. A dwarf with a skullcap with an eyepatch built in (Mortimer), and a large woman (Svelnid), and two crazy people.

Rallion is willing to let him take the writ, to show the officer in charge of the warship, but the others won’t have it, so Rallion, Bavmorda, Nash and Laris go with Captain Holger to the Flying Goblin, under Commander Evrardin, of the Feldmark guards. We learn of odd things in Feldmark and a power struggle. A member of the council suddenly changed her opionion about aid to Midmark. Grete Kygh of the Ropemaker’s Guild. The other faction who was once her friend, Cuddy Hawke opposes her. He is from the Carpenter’s Guild. Feldmark is a more tru democracy, one vote per person at 16 years. Although more guildmasters on it than others. It usually worried about the harvest and transport and other much more mundane matters.

The main sources of tension are:

– Refugees – a poweder keg issue

– Weird Dwarven numbers in the corner of everyone’s vision.

– Fishwick People

– Anti-Refugee Forces

Feldmark was a very laid back place until recently.

The Hull & Sheaf is the main trading copmany out of Midmark. There is argument that since their office can’t be contacted that their ships should be impressed into refugee duty. This would weaken the company, and make the merchants of the Merchant League would gain greatly by that. The commander suggests it would be best to leave them alone and move on, but that’s beyond his control.

Cmdr. Evrardin, is sending Capt. Holgar with us, as we probably can’t dock without him. The fee is 5 gp per day.

We see the road busy with carts laden with crops going to town for trade, and mercenaries guarding them, and obvious refugees who somehow got to this point heading toward Feldmark.

Capt. Holgar gets us to a dock, and Rallion pays 50 GP for ten days, as we may need more than a week. Capt. Holgar recommends an inn, The Black Bridge, named after the black bridge that crosses the northen branch of the Feldrun river. WE take a wagon/carriage. He arranges two rooms for us, and Rallion pays. Bavmorda puts out the word that we are hiring muscle, adn we get nibbles of interest. 2:00 PM we say to come talk to us. The next day, we go to HLM the half elf haberdasher, miliner, lapidary Haruth Mithlum Larkson to sell our loot.

Laris wears the hat once worn by Edan, the one made by Chaunese Silverbrow. Haruth is a pupil of Silverbrow and he was eagerly greeted, adn we we welcomed “to the party.”

We sold our loot and made a hefty sum. Most are ready for training. It apears we will be here for two weeks.

Captain Holgar is eager to get us to the council to speak with them. We fear that the council woman with the sudden change is wearing an inquisitor mask, and either a Dervish or Inquisitor. We had no time to discuss this in detail, other than Rallion mentioning his fear and that he will let others hold his magic while he bears the shard.

Here is Episode 2 of what amounts to Laris’ journal. I’m still getting used to this google docs and G+. I figured I’d post them as I write them instead of the whole doc for easier access as the sessions build up. I was trying to put it out primarily from Laris’ perspective. So it may lack some details that Larry put in his. If y’all think it sucks or isn’t mildly entertaining I’ll quit posting. Otherwise I’ll continue to hack at it. Also, if there are inaccuracies or something out of whack, lemme know and I’ll correct it.

Ted

Episode 2

Later in the day, 6th of Senrilden

Rallion’s Speech. Wow. So much for staying away from the weird stuff. I don’t think that my perceptions of a normal life will return to baseline if all that he says is true. That rattlebox thing seemed to confirm what he was touting. He definitely believes the meta story surrounding the adventures he and this group have had. The stories and legends we’ve all heard pieces of mesh with what his tale reveals. I still have my doubts on the connection of dots he’s claiming. Although I haven’t heard a better explanation for those dang numbers. Even if the machinations behind the events he’s describing are a little off, it still seems like the conclusions drawn, on the outside edges of a believable reality, might be true.

After his soliloquy, there was discussion. Mainly positive toward the tale from the Montoan and Hizzouites (Hizzouans? Hizzouinines?). Elder Emeric was not so impressed. His take on the story was… significantly less than receptive. Other than being an old codger, I’m not sure why he was so adamant in his position that the information was disingenuous. Unless what Rallion postulates that he could be unknowingly influenced or in cahoots with the Dark King could be true. Of course that was poo poo’d by Emeric.

Somehow Nash knows that Emeric poisoned the good captain. Maybe it has something to do with that cap that gives him some mind talking abilities. I’m not sure how comfortable I am not being able to tell if he’s messing with my head or not. But there’s nothing for it for right now. Hopefully it’s just communication and not control or influence. Oh crap. I need to think only of good beer and food from now on and not let my thoughts idly wander. No telling how often he just meanders around checking out whoever whenever. I know I certainly would.

So much for peaceful, productive encounters however. Emeric’s doubletalking and politicking continued, with indirect accusations and an alternate presentation of the events in Rallion’s tale spun in a way to cause question. On this dissonant note, my ears perked up and alarm bells dinged in my head. His elusiveness and sidestepping on the topics of Captain Nigel’s poisoning and outside influences on the current state of affairs continued to escalate the tension and distrust. I tried to defuse things as best I could, it still came to fisticuffs, no thanks to the hotheaded Drueta. All action and little lateral thinking. She almost flat out started a war with Shem and her village with Hizzou caught in the middle. I like to think that I interfered with her dagger toss, but I think I was just lucky she didn’t hit me with it. Of course Emeric was about as bad with his forked tongue. A little Shemmite subduing by our side and a sleep spell stopped any bloodshed, but ended all constructive conversation.

Chieftain Aldith was not real happy with the turn of events and told all present as much quite directly. He ordered Captain Nigel be presented in front of the whole conference of leaders to allow Nash or Lambertus affect what cures they could on his person, despite Elder Emeric’s protestations. Cure him they did. His story, once awakened, was not in contradiction to Emeric’s version. However the rattle box was rattling away unbeknownst to the good Captain as to why. Rallion brought this to the attention of the emissaries and the Chieftan by moving the box into the sight and hearing of all. Once Nigel finished his version of his story, the Chieftan sent Nigel with us and the other parties to our separate quarters. Effectively ending any discussion of the villages uniting against the Dark King at this point.

Once out of earshot of the rest of the villagers and the other delegations, we proceeded to get the real story from Captain Nigel. Emeric had him and his first mate shanghaied.Then held his first mate hostage to ensure Nigel’s cooperation, proceeded to poison him to discredit the Montoans and ruin the conference. Nigel is very thankful for the intervention and rescue from the poison. The specific reasons why Emeric did this, we don’t know beyond speculation. Drueta heads toward us, I alert the group and let her in. Long story short, Drueta joins us and we decide to leave Hizzou headed north toward Montoa. Once out of sight if the village, we circle back toward Shem to rescue Nigel’s first mate and continue on the quest of saving the world. We travel hard and rest before the final leg of our journey to Shem.

Evening of Senrilden 7th, Morning of the 8th

After resting and continuing our travels we arrive at Shem after dark. Discussion of tactics concerning the liberation of the mate ensues ranging from a burning distraction and a semi frontal assault to going in stealthy. Much to my happiness the subtle approach was elected. Adding to my happiness, I wouldn’t be alone in the scouting. Bavmorda also has a penchant for being sneaky and we will be gathering the information needed to effect the rescue.

I ask if there is any extra equipment they may have to help a guy out and Bavmorda tosses me what they are calling the Lieutenant’s Longsword. So me and L-T are partners now. I certainly do appreciate it.

Bavmorda and I set out to scout the situation. We locate the first mate and the layout of the town. We also confirm the ship seems to be intact and manned. All goes well, taking our time and avoiding all detection. It’s refreshing to be working again with a competent partner. The past few years, having others carry out my dirty work while raking in the dough kinda got a little boring. Good thing I kept my skills up, I’ve certainly needed them the past few weeks.

Another short planning session ensues with the stealthy approach taking first position with a less than subtle backup in case Bavmorda and I run into a hiccup. The group makes its way to the path to the beach where they are to prepare the launch to carry us to Nigel’s ship. Rallion stays near to cover our escape and render aid in the event things don’t go as planned with Bavmorda and I during the recapture of the mate. We retrace our steps back into the village carrying a dark elven cloak and boots for the first mate. Bavmorda holds the slats of the window covering open enough for me to cast a sleep spell on the two guards. They fall asleep along with our quarry who is shackled to the wall. We enter the front door, locate a key to the shackles on one of the guards and extricate the mate. Bavmorda throws him over her shoulder, I cover him up with the cloak and we make our way to Rallion and the beach uneventfully. Once safely on the ship we all celebrate a little for a successful operation.

Of course, as usual, safety is a relative term. Nash recognizes the ship that dropped him off wrecked on some rocks within sight. The story from Nigel and the crew is that it is overrun with lacedons, marine ghouls I think they said…. and he wants to go search it…. See, relative safety…. So our choices are raid the ship full of undead, or go to a city on an island on the way to our destination. After discussion, it seems we are going to keep our eye on the prize and stick with the main plan of saving the world. Yippee. Better that than the demise that I CAN see assaulting a wrecked ship crawling with undead…. I think we’ll soon be setting sail away from this place. We may be heading back here with Nigel one day to collect on the goods he left under duress and clear the wrecked ship of it’s treasures and pests. That is if we save the world. If not, I reckon it won’t make much difference. Time for a nap, it’s been an deliciously uneventful evening. Eventful would be referring to fighting and bleeding.j

SESSION 188 – JANUARY 31, 2018 (The same day as the Super/Blue/Blood Moon.)

Rallion steps up to give his speech to the delegations.

Rallion sets the liar box at his feet.

Greeting honored guests. We are thankful for the hospitality of Aldith, Chief

of Hizzou, who has allowed us to request your presence to share our news from the East.

Greetings to Shem and its honored council, guided by Elder Emeric.

Greetings to Montoa and its representative Druetta.

I beg your indulgence to let me share all of the news that we bear. It is

important that you hear it at the same time so that none can say they were

told a different message.

Should you doubt the truth of my words, this box before me will rattle when

it hears a lie. You will have noticed that it was silent while I spoke. I

shall tell an obvious lie to show you that it works. “I am short with green

hair.” We can use this box to find the truth of the matter about poisoning.

All who select, prepare, and serve the food can be questioned.

Rallion then invited the delegations to test it.

I am Rallion of the Wode. I am sent by the Verdant Fellowship in the East to

find the truth about the Dark King. The Druids of the Fellowship did not know

if this Dark King was an agent of the Dragon Empire or the far more ancient

Dwarven Empire. The Dark King has caused much calamity and destruction.

Entire villages have been destroyed or brought under his sway. Some are

forced into service by their families being held captive. Far more are forced

to be mindless servants controlled by those of the Dark King’s commanders and lietenants who wear various circlets that allow them to command those poor souls who have had their heads opened and cubes of command inserted. These creatures are now mindless and totally under the sway of the Dark King.

We have learned the truth of the Dark King, he is a servant of the Ancient

Dwarven Empire, and he prepares the way for the arrival of an even bigger

army from beyond the sky.

A couple weeks ago, you will have noticed these ancient Dwarven numbers

counting down each day. This count down tells us that we have 2 months and 9 days until this dwarven army with all of its magic will arrive and destroy

the world as we know it.

A fringe group of ancient dwarves controls the Silverthrone Company and they work to be the first to aid the arrival of these dwarves from beyond. They

have the same goal, but each wants the glory for himself. The head of the

Silverthrone Company has unleashed an ancient dwarven sickness that turns

those who succumb to it into mindless zombies, who are very difficult to

kill. Destroying the bodies by fire causes the ash to rise up, and the ash

too causes those it touches to be afflicted. We have not yet found a good way

to defeat this sickness.

This sickness has afflicted Vargen before the disaster struck it. This

sickness got out of control and has afflicted the dwarves of Xenilum Khel,

most do not know that their ancestors come from beyond the sky, or what evils those who seek to restore the Dwarven Empire are doing.

The Dragon Emperor’s forces have moved into Midmark, and have a foothold

there. The disaster that leveled Vargen has destroyed much of the navy of

Midmark. The terrible sickness has caused most surviving ships from Midmark to anchor off the coast, like the Bronze Wizard at Shemm.

We have fought the servants and allies of the Dark King. We found his secret

hiding place for what they call the Council of Twelve, far beneath Glavnone.

We fought there are barely escaped with the loss of many great ones.

That being said, not all dwarves follow the ways of the Dwarven Empire. Lord

Thorfus Ironhand was an honorable dwarf, Chief of Clan Ironhand, and he died fighting the Dark King’s forces. He was sickened when he learned the truth of his ancestors, a truth hidden to most dwarves today. Not all dwarves will join the Dark King’s forces or the new dwarves from beyond the sky.

The false god of the dwarves, Xenotel, is an evil creature who twists the

ways of the dwarves. We seek to defeat him in his Crystal Palace.

Our quest to prevent the arrival of a dwarven army had been hampered many

times by the lies and subterfuge of different factions. Not all who have lied

and hindered us, know the truth about the Dark King, but all the same have

their own desires for power, position, and wealth, that prevent our progress.

We must set aside the quest for these things, as we cannot enjoy them if the

islands are destroyed. If the islands are destroyed, where do we go, the

Dragon Empire?

Lastly, (pulling out the golden feather), we are the chosen of the

Matriarchs.

Druetta of the Montoa delegation was intrigued and asked how we came to have the feather and was very willing to believe Rallion’s tale. She asked after the former leader of the mountaintop sanctuary and was saddened to learn that only two of the monastic order remain.

Emeric of the Shemm delegation was very dismissive and Rallion’s tale fit his desire to twist the words of Rallion to his purpose.

Nash had Serithaz scan everyone and let him know that Emeric poisoned the ship captain, Nigel. Nash could only relay that to Laris, Oskar, and Lambertus, as the rest of us have mind shielded magic.

Emeric taunted the liar box and all our dwarven magic, and our representation of Midmark and the “EAST.” He even said that he poisoned the liar box, and it did not rattle. He said, it is some trick. Druetta was ready to attack. Laris tried to run in front of her, but she missed. Nash commanded Emeric to surrender, and he knelt and bowed his head. Bavmorda and Nash then rushed in to grapple and bind him. One of the Shemm delegation tried to grapple Bavmorda, and ended up knocked senseless. Laris ended the struggle by casting sleep.

Chief Aldith called for order, and was frustrated that fighting had broken our in his peace talks. He ordered the captain be brought in and through magic and a cure poison, we brought the captain around. He told his tale of volunteering to be part of the delegation. His story was punctuated by the liar box’s rattles. Rallion and Nash brought this to everyone’s attention, and all cast glances at Emeric.

It seems all believed Emeric capable of the deed.

The chief orders us out first, and says that the delegations of Shemm and Montoa would be free to leave. We get to our hut and question the captain to get the straight story. He and his first mate were imprisoned, and he was taken with his first mate held hostage. While Laris kept watch to make sure we were not overheard.

Druetta approaches and offers to go with us. We accept her offer.

She leads us north out of Hizzou, as if we were headed to Montoa, and then we circle around and travel through the night to get to Shemm. We rest in the morning, so our spell casters can re-learn their spells. We continue about 1:00 PM and get to the outskirts of Shemm about 8:00 PM.

Laris and Bavmorda are sent in to scout and they find their way to the central hut and find two guards dicing while the first mate slept in a corner. They report back to us. They go and get the prisoner, taking Rallion’s cloak to make the escape easier. The rest of us go down the path to the boats.

There is a hut at the bottom of the trail to the beach. Rallion keeps watch over it while waiting for Laris, Bavmorda, and the mate. The others go get the Bronze Wizard’s boat and get it in the water for a faster getaway.

While waiting for Laris and Bavmoda (Julie), Rallion carves into a stick, “Rallion was here,” and sticks it into the cliff beside the path near the hut.

Laris and Bavmorda easily return to the central hut. LAris casts sleep. They relieve a guard of the key to the manacles. Bavmorda throws the first mate over her shoulder while Laris drapes Rallion’s dark elf cloak over him, and they head for the trail. They almost surpsised Rallion, and join him in going to the boat, and they push off towards the ship.

The crew is relieved to have their captain.

Nash learns that the boat that dropped him off, the Gilded Gusset, is the one wrecked on the shore north of Shemm. Captain Nigel explains that it is infested with lacedons (sea ghouls). We decide to make our way south and leave Curmidden behind us, perhaps never to return.

We decide to seek port, perhaps at Feldmark, sell our gems, resupply, and perhaps take a week to train.

I added Episode 2 to the end of the linked document below.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12LtQwDeVW40YaxmOhUjTPIwNVQChV3klMMs4KawHXn8/edit?usp=sharing

SESSION 187 – JANUARY 24,2018

After Jardin smashes the mirror, Auriel, the green dragon tells us to pile up Serithaz, Kalgun, and tell him where Prix is.

Bavmorda rushes into the mist in an attempt to get around the dragon, and is overcome with burning eyes, nose, and lungs.

Nash tries to talk with Auriel. The dragon tells us that the admiral in charge of the airship, Sarhedan(?), suspected that Jardin was not truly loyal to the Dragon Emperor, and this just proves it. We will deal with him. There is no need for you to risk your life.

During the talking the Roc attacks the dragon, the flap of its wings disperses the mist, but drives it towards us. Lambertus, and Oskar are both overcome.

The dragon breathes a stinking green vapourous cloud at the Roc, who is overcome as its face melts and it caughs up internal organs and dies.

Rallion sees one chance, and drops his magic weapons, items, and pack. He rushes to the chest with the shard, next to the incapacitated Oskar, and drags it away from the party while cutting the rope that binds it shut. Rallion manages to get it open and rush the dragon before it can do anything, and misses. The dragon tries to breath on Rallion and nothing happens. While Rallion rushed the dragon, Kauri saw the daemons bound to the armor get ripped to pieces.

Nash casts bless, and Kauri takes the magic items and armor off Bavmorda so when she recovers, she can aid Rallion.

Oskar recovers first and rushes in with his spear to aid Rallion.

The dragon tries its claws and massive jaws against Rallion, and only manages to scratch him with its claws. Rallion manages to touch its wing with the shard, and it causes great pain and he pulls the wing in close to his body. Oskar gets in a hit.

Nash uses speak with animals to ask the hawk to round up some help from among the local animals. The hawk leaves.

Kauri removes the magic items and magic armor from Lambertus, so he too can join in the fight when recovered.

Rallion is again only hit by the claws of the dragon.

Rallion misses, Bavmorda gets in a backstab with massive damage, and Oskar delivers the killing blow to the surprised dragon.

The dragon then melts and implodes into a pool of acidic residue. Any items or wealth Auriel carried are gone.

Soon after recovering from the battle, Oskar makes tea and we gather around the fire.

We are approached by a wide-eyed half elf, Laris, a sneaky type magic user, who witnessed our battle with the dragon.

We allow him into camp. We used the liar box to verify he isn’t working for our enemies. Laris is from Vargen and left when the tidal wave hit. He is hoping to make it to the coast and catch a ship to better prospects.

We move camp about an hour West, near the edge of the foothills and jungle to be away from the stench of the decaying dragon and dead roc. As well as, away from anything that might investigate the site of the fight.

Laris joins Rallion in the first watch. Rallion tells him of the clock and uses the liar box to prove that what he tells Laris is true. Laris is amazed at these tales of space dwarves from beyond the sky who will arrive when the countdown in your eye reaches zero.

Laris remains with us as we are awaked by cries from Oskar. A giant bee is approaching us. Rallion fires two arrows into it, Bavmorda one, and Kauri finishes it with 3 bolts of pure energy.

Laris attempts to recover the poison sack from the bee, but botches the attempt. He hears the sound of more bee wings in the distance to the NW. The party debates investigating, but decides it is a distraction that will only waste resources, and perhaps get us killed.

Rallion leads the party along a stream. We hear drums for a bit, but they stop. We continue along the stream towards the village. It must be the village we saw between the mountain and the coastal village. We come upon a man at the edge of the village at the stream fishing with a net.

He asks us if we are workshipers of the Matriarchs like those of the village of Montoa. Bavmorda says we just came from the sanctuary, as Rallion clarifies that his friend is a fool, only trying to mimic what Reyne the fisheman/guard just said.

Laris steps in and charms Reyne, making a new friend. Reyne fills us in on the situation.

This is the village of Hizzou, with Chief Aldith, who are hosting two other villages, Montoa, and Shemm. Shemm is the village by the coast with the ship. Montoa calls its inhabitants Daughters of the Matriarchs and are seeking an alliance to fight the Dark King. The people of Shem brought with them the captain of the ship, who is deathly ill, both Shemm and Mantou allege by poison. He tells us not to trust the shaman.

Laris has Reyne return to fishing as he insists we will see ourself to the chief.

Rallion leads the way begging the rest to follow his lead. Rallion sees a way to fulfill his charge from the druids of the Verdant Fellowship, who sent him for answers about the Dark King.

The guards of the chief announce our presence to the chief and we are invited in. We meet the chief, and get the particulars of what each village is about, each dlegation, etc. Rallion insists that all meet at once to hear the message at the same time. The chief is concerned that we not cause offense or make things worse, regarding the poisoning, or tip the balance that might lead to war.

The chief, Aldith, relents and sends for the representatives of the two villages. While we wait for their arrival he fills us in on the scenario.

Ansure the village shaman of Hizzou introduces himself, adn offers us food, as the hungry Laris stares at the food on the sidelines.

Chief Aldith tells us that Shemm is ruled by a council of elders, and has no chieftan. The council selected the members of their delegation, including an Elder, Emeric. Captain Nigel of The Bronze Wizard was head of the delegation until he fell ill. Emeric thinks this whole thing is a ploy to get Shemm under the sway of Mantoa.

Montoa is represented by Druette the lieutenant to the Chief Warrior, Imagentia, who has the unsavory reputation of being very bloodthirsty. Her mother, the prior chief, tried to unite the tribes ten or twenty years ago. Druetta is followed by three who position themselves around Druetta.

Rallion prepares to speak….

SESSION 186 January 17, 2018

We find the roc nest wrecked and the egg smashed. The roc is seen in the distance and will not return.

Nash uses speak with animals to get his hawk friend to talk tot he roc. The roc will not return as it is too dangerous. It has food in a peak to the south where it lives now.

We wait for the roc to come, but it only sends the hawk who tells us it will not come back. We make arrangements to have it meet us in a safe place.

We wait for Bavmorda to finish training, part of it includes climbing while we wait around at the roc nest.

Once trainins is finished, we head down the mountin. The first night we camped where we first saw the golden eagle. We are attacked by some strange bird that looks like a cross between a chicken and a lizard. We Kill it.

The next morning, Rallion follows the tracks to where Bavmorda first saw it, and finds that there are tracks from more of them, but no more are seen.

We go until about mid day and two more of these odd bird lizards attack, and go for Bavmorda. We manage to kill them both before they can even damage any of us.

Rallion follows the tracks which are along a game trail in the general direction of our planned travel to the village with a ship. We find the nest of these creatures surrounded by tiny exquisite statues of little animals, many of them missing parts. We discern that these animals have the ability to petrify those it bites.

We find much gold and jewelry, and a magic broach, and an extra healing potion. We swap out our electrum for gold and load up the bag of holding to capacity with gold.

We hide what we can’t take with us, including the statues. Rallion keeps out an exquitie field mouse statue. We collapse the earthen roof to their hole, and disguise it and Bavmorda traps it.

We move on. That night during his watch, Rallion notices an unusual mist, and wakes Bavmorda and then the others. A voice calls out, and we learn that it is the green dragon we met on the walkway. He tosses us a mirror and we talk to “Lord Thornton” who we know is really Jardin, but “we don’t know that.”

Jardin and some of his allies seek Prix, who if alive, will change the balance of power in the Draon Empire.

AFter much back and forth, we let on that Thorfus is dead. Possibly that other members of the “Keepers of The Council” are dead, and that we are trying to save the world. WE ask if they did the thing with the explosion in the harbor, and Jardin says that wasn’t him.

We learn that Jardin replaced one of Thorfus’ hirelings with a Dervish with an inquisitor mask. When we drove off the dervish, she reported that Prix is alive and the word got to the dragon emperor instead of to Jardin. He was not involved with sendint dragons to go after her.

We didn’t answer most of his questions to Jardin’s satisfaction. We left him with the impression that she is still alive.

jardin gives us a new writ for the keepers of the council.

He also tells us that if he officially knows we are alive, we are to be killed. So he can’t get us on the airship.

They are focused on getting past the orbital defenses.

Rallion tells Jardin that the dark king is connected to the dwarven council of 12 and that they are beneath Glavnone.

Jardin smashes his mirror when he is done talking to us, and we are free to go about our business.

The first night we made camp, a woman in blue visited Nash and identified herself as Lysander. She has tasked him with finding the “Mother of Heaven” AKA Prixithalma. Prix created the gods to keep the evil fals god Xentellar under control. Xen Tellar got loose and is making war on the gods. Lysander said that she is so thankful that we opened up the lines of communication, they have tried since the beginning to talk to their followers. [This is probably the Dragon Emperor corrupting her code.] Nash does not tell us of this vision.

SESSION 185 January 10, 2018

We take another week for Bavmorda to train as an assassin.

Rallion uses scrying mask and Xen Khel is swarming with infected undead. They are cut off from leaving the high area near the former 3 Sister’s Temple, because the bridge is missing. The colossus is gone.

A lot more options for the mask are available than they were since Sittung altered the orbitals.

Vargen is flooded and severely damaged. Streets are flooded and swarming with infected undead. Boats in the flooded streets are overturned and their occupants dragged under. The colossus from Xen Khel is now sprawled out over the castle and market area of Vargen. Ships are washed up into the town. The Verdant Fellowship grove is destroyed along with the other temples,

Midmark – The lower city is flooded, the floating shipyard is razed and majorly damaged. Newtown is flooded. There are people who have been hung that have signs of a different illness. The upper city is in good shape and the town guard and grey cloaks are keeping people out. There is a huge airship over the city from the Dragon Empire. One day some important Midmark officials (Jardin) and a city delegation is having some sort of discussion with an Imperial commander.

Most of the ships we see are from Feldmark, and there are a lot of them.

Verdant Fellowship had some flooding but is mostly spared.

Xenilum Khel’s main gate is caved in and under guard. A big change from when Rallion went there looking for Thorfus and company.

Kauri questions the DVL on the probability sword and it looks insubstantial and fades in and out until it notices Kauri can see him, and focuses and becomes the most brilliant DVL there. Kauri asks if the charges from one battery could be brought into our reality. Yes, but it would destroy that reality. It would require a deal – a promise to do a favor by the one making the deal. That price is too steep.

The questioning moves to the clock who tells us that Xeno Tel created the DVLs and has a marvelous device where the DVLs are brought into the batteries. When a charge is used from a battery another DVL consumes it. A DVL is in an ancient Dwarven made item. Daemons were corrupted by Prixithalma to not longer serve the Dwarves and are only in magic items created since the fall of the ancient Dwarven Empire.

Xeno Tel delivered the original dwarves who were the initial force that landed on Medeia to prepare for the arrival of the colonists. It took Xeno Tel a few hundred years to arrive. the clock was created 4,999 years and a few months ago, at the time of the First Dragon War. So it takes 5,000 years for the colony ships to arrive. Medeia is not the first nor the last stop on “The Great Road” which is the constellation on the floor in the throne room in Xen Khel. The colonists come and strip the resources and then move on to the next place.

The DVL in the sword is a great one and is not concerned about the shard. It can’t kill it, only drive it away from this reality.

If we block the portal the colonists will go to the next place, or take the long way here.

There are hundreds more like Xeno Tel. Supposedly more colonists.

The water outside the cave has no DVLs. Dark Elf boots, cloaks, and armor also have no DVLs or daemons. The shard destroying DVLs and daemons violates the law of conservation of energy.

Rallion keeps watching over the sites with the scrying mask.

Nash rides the roc and discovers that more training is needed. Serithaz does better programming so that the roc responds to bridle to turn and taps to descend and ascend.

First day Nash sees that the ship is a Midmark merchant ship, The Bronze Wizard. The watch sees Nash on the Roc

Rallion prepares to rides with Nash & Lambertus in a net.

Dark Green robbed human is squinting on the carving on the door. Wizardly robes. He has aerial transportation. His name is Auriol. Came from Midmark. Tallest peak. things not good in Midmark. Looks back at opening and decides not to go there. Explosion in bay and giant tidal wave. Looking for friends of his, a woman, very beautiful with red hair. (Very good speaking habits.) He was staying at the castle with Lord Jardin giving hospitality to visitors. On a relief mission to helpout. From Feldmark. His friend is a powerful sorceress. Last scene near hear to the north. In company of adventurers. A dwarf, Thorfus Ironhand, and this group is problematic, and monk with order of Celestial Dragon some clerics of Baldric Evenkeel. Hoping to gring them back to Midmark. They are needed, Lord Jardin specifically asked for him. Visiting Lord Thornton still there, rep of city, chief liason with various relief groups. Thornton smoothed over agreements for relief. (Lord Jardin said he’s from River Mark. a small city state south of Curmiden. A persuasive fellow. These people were the Protectors of the Council.)

Serithaz can’t read this guy.

Auriol can read it. Calendar, light comes through the door, nothing important.

He wants to stroll around. Mentions that if we have aerial transporation. Will be great reward is we bring news to Midmark. Very essential to the rebuilding process. Go straight to the Council of Elders.

All the Midmark Navy ships were destroyed near Vargen enforcing the embargo.

Red Haired lady, Prix, these heroes saved her. Rallion asked about the story of Lady Em, Auriol told us based on a real story.

Definitely a green dragon. Flies to NE towards Jager’s tower.

We debate if Jardin and Auriol are a faction supporting Prix.

SESSION 184 – January 3, 2018

We scout the roc nest and it is sleeping and Nash asks Serithaz to re-program the Roc to be our friend.

It works and we find thousands of copper that we ignore. An insectoid automaton that is inactive and full of electrum and a magic sword of lizard slaying.

We find many gems and 2,000 electrum.

We go down with Oscar carrying the shard 30′ behind us.

We check out one set of doors and find a key in a giant sphere of water. We came through the door on the other side.

We decide to try to use the chest. We hide behind doors and Bavmorda opens it, and spiders come pouring out. Bavmorda manages to close the lid, so that there are only 30 of them.

Bavmorda is bitten and falls unconscious. We rush in to help, and Lambertus and Kauri are also bitten and fall unconscious.

Nash uses his reroll to stay conscious, we use the party declared roll to save Kauri, and Larry used his reroll for the monster’s initiative, sinc we were tied with 5’s.

We ran, grabbed the unconscious Lambertus and Bavmorda and get behind doors. We drink the healing water from our flasks and all who were poisoned and injured are healed. We use oil to make a puddle and a rope dot open doors, Rallion shoots a fire arrow at the oil and it kills all the spider, and they become a puff of smoke that goes back toward the chest.

We have Oscar come back and we leave.

Tamon and Azra have a metal chest that they let us have. They lost the key, so we tie it shut and have Oscar carry it.

We go back for the chest of infinite spiders, and tie it shut and have Oscar carry it.

We sleep and plan to ascend to the Roc and have it carry us to the village by the sea, where we saw a ship from the covered walkway around the mountain peak.